FPM monitor on A310

[gtaflyer]

Can anyone tell me how the flight path monitor (FPM) on the airbus A310 works. I would like to know how i can use it in the sim assessment.

thanks

gtaflyer

[jonny dangerous]

You are of course referring to the Flight Path Vector (FPV). If you really are going in for a simulator assessment, it's probably not the time to learn how to use it.

For info though, it is an indication of your vertical performance (i.e. climbing, descending, level flight). My own preference is to use it strictly for steep turns (in the sim...), as you can quickly detect a climb or descent developing. Just find the pitch attitude that will maintain "the bird" precisely on the horizon, and voila! Nice Steep Turn.

Some guys (especially ex fighter jocks, they use it on the drive home I'm sure) prefer to have it up all the time. I must admit that on a visual approach, it can be helpful in maintaining a 3 degree flight path angle.

Best Regards

[gtaflyer]

thank you for your response. could you briefly tell me how to use it on a visual spproach.

many thanks

gta

[jonny dangerous]

Assuming you don't have an ILS glidepath for guidance, once you're on you're 3 degree profile (3 and 1 profile etc) you'd use you're Flight Director bars (switched over to Track/FPA) and adjust pitch attitude to maintain the "bird" centered on the FD bars. I hope I'm not confusing that with the 320/330 series...but that's what I recall.

On some approach charts, the beacon crossing will show the 3 degree profile for a non-precision approach. I.E. even though the inbound crossing altitude might be 1000 ft AGL for the non precision, alongside it will be the 3 degree profile altitude. Cross the beacon (or FAF if you like) at that altitude, then follow the FD bars down the 3.00 degree FPA.

But all that stuff above is not likely to help a whole lot in the SIM. A friend of mine who was current on the 310 at the time actually blew his assessment with the Emirates in a 310 SIM. Apparently the raw data ILS approach is what did him in. Try not to make things too difficult for yourself and remember it's just an airplane and Power + Attitude still equals Performance.

Just curious, is it the Emirates you're heading to?

Cheers

[gtaflyer]

yep your right i am heading down the sand pit soon.

does the fpv give you a 3 degree glide path to work on (by programme or something) or do you set up a 3 degree decent and the fpv maintains that for you and all you do is follow it.

the fpv selector panel is on the right side of the glare shield for F/O do you seleect it and thats it?